Adjective

(en adjective)

Having a repugnance or opposition of mind.

* {{quote-book, year=2004

, author=Arthur Schopenhauer , title=Essays of Schopenhauer , chapter=2 citation , passage=This is why the most eminent intellects have always been strongly averse to any kind of disturbance, interruption and distraction, and above everything to that violent interruption which is caused by noise; other people do not take any particular notice of this sort of thing.}}

* {{quote-book, year=1885

, author=E. T. A. Hoffmann , title=The Entail citation , passage=“I assure you, cousin,” replied the old gentleman, “that the Baron, notwithstanding his unpleasant manner, is really one of the most excellent and kind-hearted men in the world. As I have already told you, he did not assume these manners until the time he became lord of the entail; previous to then he was a modest, gentle youth. Besides, he is not, after all, so bad as you make him out to be; and further, I should like to know why you are so averse to him.” As my uncle said these words he smiled mockingly, and the blood rushed hotly and furiously into my face.}}

Turned away or backward.

* Dryden

The tracks averse a lying notice gave, / And led the searcher backward from the cave.

(obsolete) Lying on the opposite side (to'' or ''from ).

Adjective

(en adjective)

(of motion) Pertaining to the direction towards the back.

They left without a backward glance.

(of motion) Pertaining to the direction reverse of normal.

The occasional backward movement of planets is evidence they revolve around the sun.

Reluctant or unable to advance.

* 1919 ,

Then her eyes, always alert for the affairs of her kitchen, fell on some action of the Chinese cook which aroused her violent disapproval. She turned on him with a torrent of abuse. The Chink was not backward to defend himself, and a very lively quarrel ensued.

* Don't be backward in suggesting story ideas to local media but always think of the wants, needs and desires of their readers when selling-in story ideas.[http://www.mortgagemagazine.com.au/detail_article.cfm?articleID=364]

Of a culture considered undeveloped or unsophisticated.

* Most cruelly, the immediate security interests of the United States and the states surrounding Somalia are now to keep it a failed state, to prevent Islamists from consolidating even a weak state centered on Mogadishu. The leader of the victorious faction, one Aden Hashi 'Ayro, is said to be a veteran of Afghanistan; he knows well what a small sanctuary in a backward corner of the globe can mean for al Qaeda. [http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/06/1851044]

Pertaining to a thought or value that is considered outdated.

* Replace the morbid, bankrupting, backward idea of superpower domination: Weapons dismantled. Global warming reversed. Perhaps, in time, overpopulation, poverty, starvation, ignorance and disease all resolved. Thus, moral determination combined with 21st Century science, ecology and social initiatives will make possible a resonant fulfillment of our American Revolution [http://www.counterpunch.org/bice01042003.html]

(cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.

(cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.

(obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.

* Alexander Pope

For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.

Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

a backward child

Late or behindhand.

a backward season

(obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.

* Byron

and flies unconscious o'er each backward year